6 Things to Look for in a Drug Intervention Specialist

Screaming, yelling, politely asking, ultimatums, bargaining…. When your loved one is addicted to drugs and won’t get help, you know these things just don’t work. They only serve to stress everyone out and then we still don’t get anywhere. If this sounds familiar, it might be time to start looking for a drug intervention specialist.

What exactly is a drug intervention specialist?

This is someone who leads the combined efforts of you and your family to get the drug-addicted person into treatment. This person is someone who is trained, experienced, and educated about detox and recovery from drugs.

Interventionists come in all kinds of combinations of strengths and specialties. This is because drug-addiction isn’t the only reason we seek out interventionists. Eating disorders, gambling, drinking, shopping, and all sorts of harmful disordered behaviors call for an intervention.

Why do I need to hire one?

The short answer is that you will be more successful with a drug intervention specialist. The numbers show that 90% of interventions guided by a specialist are successful, meaning the addict enters treatment.

Besides finally getting your loved one into treatment, hiring a specialist will make the process smoother and more comfortable for everyone. They will provide expertise, support, and guidance so that the intervention has a strong structure. Oftentimes, when we try to intervene on our own we can get lost in our strong emotions and lose sight of the group’s greater goals.

The 6 things you should look for in a Drug Intervention Specialist

Before you hire a drug intervention specialist, do your research!! Not every interventionist is a good fit for your specific needs. A poorly planned intervention can actually worsen the addiction by damaging relationships. For example, “surprise interventions”, where the addict is caught off guard are usually quite hurtful and only lead to distrust. This is why we urge you to consider these 6 things before you choose your drug intervention specialist. Doing a little homework beforehand can help you find the best possible treatment for your family.

1. Credentials

Before you hire someone, you want to make sure they’ve met the national requirements. The number one, most important title to look for is CIP, which stands for Certified Intervention Professional. The Pennsylvania certification board awards the CIP title for all US interventionists, not just those in Pennsylvania. To acquire the title, you must meet educational requirements and adhere to a strict code of ethics. The purpose of the certification is to ensure that “interventionists” don’t abuse those struggling with addiction during this vulnerable time. Additional educational titles are great indicators, however, they aren’t as crucial as the CIP.

2. Experience, previous success rates

As with any important partnership, you want to make sure your drug intervention specialist has experience and is good at their job. Ask potential interventionists about how many interventions they’ve completed and their success rate.

3. Availability

Drug addiction is a time-sensitive issue. We can’t just wait around while our loved one is ill and putting him/herself in danger. Sometimes, we find an interventionist who is the perfect match! … but they’re not available for 8 months. You may be tempted to wait for what seems to be the perfect intervention, but don’t forget that addiction is deadly. Every day your loved one is abusing drugs, they are putting themselves at risk. Look for someone who can get to you within the next few weeks at most.

4. Insurance compatibility

Intervention and rehabilitation services can add up to a dizzying amount of money. However, it’s possible to get treatment without breaking the bank. You must check ahead of time if the interventionist will work with your insurance plan.

Here at Breathe Life Healing Centers, we know that money doesn’t grow on trees. Whereas most traditional rehabilitation is expensive and unaffordable for many, Breathe is available to anyone with medical insurance. We partner with your insurance company to take away the financial aspect of treatment, leaving you to focus on what really matters – getting your life and loved ones back.

5. Experience in the right areas

When choosing an interventionist, it’s crucial to select someone who has experience in the areas you need. Look for someone who has treated cases involving the same drug and any other unique aspects of your case. An interventionist with all the qualifications you could ask for, and a high success rate won’t be able to help you if their area of expertise is eating disorders, not substance abuse.

6. Emphasis on family involvement

Experts agree that addiction is a family illness. When one individual develops an addiction, it affects his or her entire circle of friends and family. This is why it’s so important to organize an intervention as a group effort; more than one person has to heal. Choose a drug intervention specialist who understands the importance of family, and includes family in the treatment approach.

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Reach out to us at Breathe Life Healing Centers if you and your family are struggling with substance abuse.

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